INNOVA Research Journal 2017, Vol 2, No. 8, 112-116.

ISSN 2477-9024

Sustainable food systems for the cities of the future: Potential of urban
agriculture for small entrepreneurs in Canton Machala
Andreina Gonzlez
Associate Professor I, Metropolitan University, Machala Headquarters; Ph.D. in Planning and
Regional Development, University of Zulia

David Zaldumbide
Lecturer Metropolitan University, Machala Headquarters; Master of Economics, James Cook
University

Javier Solano
Assistant Professor II, Metropolitan University, Machala Headquarters; Master in Economics
and Business Administration, ESPOL
Autor para correspondencia: agonzalez@umet.edu.ec, dzaldumbide@umet.edu.ec,
jsolano@umet.edu.ec
Fecha de recepcin: 31 de Julio de 2017 - Fecha de aceptacin: 10 de Agosto de 2017

Abstract: The role of urban agriculture in global food security is a subject of growing debate. There are several
types of research on urban and peri-urban agriculture, especially in the major cities. These studies usually consist of
an analysis of cases that often have different definitions of urban and peri-urban agriculture depending on the local
setting and mostly about the objectives of the study. (Thebo, et al., 2014). This lack of steadiness makes it difficult
to quantify the scope of this practice on a global scale and presents a challenge for citizens, authorities and academic
institutions to provide adequate structure for the transition from theory to the application of urban agriculture within
cities. On the one hand, the design of policies that seek the development of regions is framed between two aspects
that shape today's world: the global, as a growing economic, cultural and political integration. On the other side the
local, as that trend towards Higher levels of self-determination, management, decentralization and development in
communities. (Fuchs, et al., 2003). As a result, it is becoming easier for people to get involved in local politics by
posing problems that directly affect neighborhoods. Local regulations become much more relevant to the daily life
of a person trying to grow their food and feel that they can contribute positively to their community. On the other
hand, Climate change and environmental impacts represent a real and grave threat, but there are many potential
solutions to them. The present paper aims to analyze the potential of urban agriculture within our environment.
Keywords: Urban Agriculture, Economic benefits, Social Benefits

Resumen: El papel de la agricultura urbana en la seguridad alimentaria global es un tema de creciente debate.
Existen varios tipos de investigacin sobre la agricultura urbana y periurbana, especialmente en las grandes
ciudades. Estos estudios generalmente consisten en un anlisis de casos que a menudo tienen diferentes definiciones
de la agricultura urbana y periurbana dependiendo del entorno local y sobre todo de los objetivos del estudio.
(Thebo, et al., 2014). Esta falta de estabilidad hace difcil cuantificar el alcance de esta prctica a escala mundial y
presenta un reto para los ciudadanos, las autoridades y las instituciones acadmicas de proporcionar una estructura
adecuada para la transicin de la teora a la aplicacin de la agricultura urbana dentro de las ciudades. Por un lado, el
diseo de polticas que buscan el desarrollo de las regiones se enmarca entre dos aspectos que configuran el mundo
actual: el global, como una creciente integracin econmica, cultural y poltica. Por otro lado el local, como esa
tendencia hacia niveles superiores de autodeterminacin, gestin, descentralizacin y desarrollo en las comunidades.
(Fuchs et al., 2003). Como resultado, cada vez es ms fcil para la gente involucrarse en la poltica local planteando
problemas que afectan directamente a los vecindarios. Las regulaciones locales se vuelven mucho ms relevantes
para la vida cotidiana de una persona que intenta hacer crecer su comida y sienten que pueden contribuir
positivamente a su comunidad. Por otra parte, el cambio climtico y los impactos ambientales representan una
amenaza real y grave, pero hay muchas soluciones potenciales para ellos. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo
analizar el potencial de la agricultura urbana dentro de nuestro entorno.
Palabras Clave: Agricultura Urbana, beneficios econmicos, beneficios sociales

Revista mensual de la UIDE extensin Guayaquil 112

INNOVA Research Journal 2017, Vol 2, No. 8, 112-116.

Background

Urban agriculture has become an instrument that among several results, has allowed
improving the food and nutrition for the inhabitants of the cities. On the other hand, it has helped
to conserve the environment in several instances, by reducing the ecological footprint that
impacts our daily lives today. Citizens also have an essential role to play when transforming
unproductive spaces into sites that generate value and produce benefits for society. Here, it is
common to include vulnerable sectors such as people with different capacities, the unemployed,
women and Old people. What is sought is to create a society that tends to self-production and
self-consumption, to mitigate the usual impacts while reducing costs by accessing family
baskets, on the one hand, and generating revenue through the sale of everything Surplus (Thin
2015)
Economic benefits of urban agriculture
Attention to the emerging problems of urban poverty is a concern that requires priority
treatment from the different levels of our societies, given the immediacy of the social demand
generated by the precarious living conditions of the affected groups. (Moreno O. 2007).
Community Progress, food security, and economic development are three of the most common
pillars for considering participation in urban agriculture. Urban agriculture not only strengthens
social ties. It also provides healthy livelihoods that might otherwise be lacking, but can also
contribute to growth in household incomes, offset food costs and create jobs. Food safety is
affected by the quantity and quality of food available for the household. (Nugent, 2002) On the
other hand, improving the conditions of poor urban communities to produce, grow and sell
vegetables and other agricultural products will also have positive effects on other poor urban
residents through access to fresh food And nutritious at affordable prices. Since food is the
primary component of household expenditure (low-income families spend between 50% and
60% of their income on staple foods and beverages), any savings in food spending imply that a
significant portion of household income Will be available for other non-food expenses. (RUAF,
2003)
Social Benefits of Urban Agriculture
Bryden (1994) points out that the sustainability of rural communities depends on the ability
to regenerate themselves in the long term in social, economic and physical terms. Similarly,
other authors (Flora et al., 1994) consider that community sustainability is mostly based on the
resilience they possess in response to changing environmental conditions. Several interpretations
of the word community are emerging. The term has a connotation of a local social system, which
provides a more fair way to give it a spatial context. For the changing nature of "rurality," the
ways that are considered and analyzed local social systems are also changing (Bryden, 1994): On
the other hand in the work of (Uzctegui, et al., 2017).
The various benefits of urban agriculture are mentioned, as they are; The creation of safe
places, pest reduction, in addition to fostering community development and building social
capital. On the other hand, opportunities for youth education and development finally,
intergenerational and intercultural integration.

Revista mensual de la UIDE extensin Guayaquil 113

INNOVA Research Journal 2017, Vol 2, No. 8, 112-116.

Environmental Benefits of Urban Agriculture

Industrial agriculture is a major source of pollution from the extensive use of fossil fuels.
Petrochemicals are used to fertilize, pulverize and conserve food. Plastics made from oil are used
to package food, and gasoline is used to transport food around the world. Urban agriculture
provides us with an alternative to the use of oil by minimizing the ecological footprint of
transportation and using organic farming methods. Cities face many environmental challenges,
including air and water quality problems, lack of sufficient green space, excess heat capture,
runoff from contaminated rainwater, and lack of ecological biodiversity. Urban agriculture
presents a unique opportunity to use empty or inactive land and roofs throughout cities for the
production of healthy and pesticide-free food. Increasing green spaces to the community,
including community gardens and urban farms, is acknowledged to provide some social, health,
economic and environmental benefits.
Several studies have determined that the impact of environmental damage on our
environment is increasing. The use of fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides are negatively
affecting the health and welfare of consumers. For the above, it is necessary to promote an
agriculture according to the benefit of the human being and without harming the environment. Is
here that the concept of urban and peri-urban agriculture is born, where the use of nutrients and
micronutrients is encouraged through the Extensive use of organic manure "Building an organic
matter base is essential for improving poor soils. It contains nutrients in more complex forms,
which are released for plant use after the organic material decomposes (Cofie, et al. 2010).
Urban agriculture for the city of Machala
Possibility of food production within the Canton Machala
Understanding the ability of urban agriculture to feed urban populations necessarily depends
on estimating the amount of food that can be grown in an urban area. In this stage is a critical
assessment, insofar as the viability of urban agriculture and the degree of political and cultural
support depend to some extent on whether it can have a significant impact on the availability and
safety of food local. Ecuador has an antecedent with Quito since in 2000 a pilot program for the
development of urban agriculture in the Panecillo Sector was carried out, A lot of public and
international entities participated, the result was a success. On the one hand, the economies of the
participants improved, just like their nutrition, there were processes of recycling of the organic
wastes. Today the Metropolitan Agency for Economic Promotion (CONQUITO) is in charge of
this initiative, whose primary objective is the consolidation of an entrepreneurial, sustainable and
innovative city, generating jobs and equitably redistributing wealth (www.fao.org, 2015 )
These efforts can be replicated in the towns like Machala, even more so when the land they
own is suitable for crops because of the fertility of their soil; there are many spaces such as solar
that are currently unproductive areas and have great potential to be transformed into orchards.
That we have several benefits; The reduction of costs in operation generated by the
transportation of organic waste, encourages recycling, income is produced by families, increases
the nutritional quality of the population, among others.
Challenges and barriers to food production in the city of Machala
Given the neglect of agriculture in urban planning policy. Planners tend to think that
growing public food is a messy business and they have little understanding of the need for towns

Revista mensual de la UIDE extensin Guayaquil 114

INNOVA Research Journal 2017, Vol 2, No. 8, 112-116.

to grow food in cities. But for hundreds of millions of people in urban areas, it is a vital
component of their livelihoods and during difficult times is a self-sustaining and important
conservation strategy, city dwellers are increasingly trying to persuade planners. To receive a
space for food crops, this is true not only in developing countries but also increasingly in
developed cities where unemployment is endemic. (Deelstra et al., 2000).
A holistic perspective for policy making would take into account macro, sectoral and micro
enterprises, and consider the following in development strategies:
Incentives to households about food production and consumption
The resources available to the local government in the provision of infrastructure and
services;
Trends in regional and national agricultural markets, especially supplies; Y
Linkages between urban, peri-urban and rural farmers and processors
This brief description has been a review as suggested for additional research
Environmental Monitoring of a Commercial Farm within the Canton Machala
Conclusions and recommendations
With the help of urban agriculture, up to 100 times more food can be produced than with
conventional farming (per square meter). How is it possible? This is the direction - most urban
farms are vertically designed, which allows you to grow products on as many levels as possible
in a square meter. Agriculture strengthens local economies through job creation and access to
healthy food. It enhances local ecologies by sequestering carbon. Additionally, creating green
spaces that add shade and counteract the "heat island" effect of so much concrete.Finally, Urban
farms also provide a much-needed respite for pollinators that are so vital to our food system.
Urban agriculture facilitates the organization of communities to obtain social cohesion.
Economic benefits are analyzed in the same way. By working as a team, you can have greater
control over activities. On the other hand, it generates the capacity of utilization of the surfaces
to cultivate while the ecosystem is preserved by the friendly practices with the environment.
Cultivating together propitiates community development there is nothing like joining your
neighbors during this summer's huge tomato harvest. Many cultures revolve around food
cultivation, cooking and consumption. Food connects people, and growing food is one of the best
ways to connect. Even individuals who do not get their hands dirty feel a greater sense of
community thanks to urban farms.
References
Ackerman, K., Conard, M., Culligan, P., Plunz, R., Sutto, M. P., & Whittinghill, L. (2014).
Sustainable food systems for future cities: The potential of urban agriculture. The
economic and social review, 45(2, Summer), 189-206.
Bryden, J. M., Leblanc, L., & Teal, C. (1994). Towards sustainable rural communities.
University School of Rural Planning and Development.

Revista mensual de la UIDE extensin Guayaquil 115

INNOVA Research Journal 2017, Vol 2, No. 8, 112-116.

Cofie, O., Van Veenhuizen, R., De Vreede, V., & Maessen, S. (2010). Gestin de Residuos para
la Recuperacin de Nutrientes: Opciones y Desafos para la Agricultura Urbana. Revista
Agricultura Urbana, (23), 3.
Deelstra, T., & Girardet, H. (2000). Urban agriculture and sustainable cities. Bakker N.,
Dubbeling M., Gndel S., Sabel-Koshella U., de Zeeuw H. Growing cities, growing food.
Urban agriculture on the policy agenda. Feldafing, Germany: Zentralstelle fr Ernhrung
und Landwirtschaft (ZEL), 43-66.
Delgado Pontn, D. M. (2015). Programa de desarrollo para una agricultura sostenible en reas
urbanas y peri-urbana de la ciudad de Machala.
Jordn Fuchs, R., Simioni, D., & degli Affari Esteri, I. M. (2003). Gestin urbana para el
desarrollo sostenible en Amrica Latina y el Caribe. CEPAL.
Moreno Flores, O. (2007). Agricultura Urbana: Nuevas Estrategias de Integracin Social y
Recuperacin Ambiental en la Ciudad.
Nugent, R. (2000). The impact of urban agriculture on the household and local economies.
Bakker N., Dubbeling M., Gndel S., Sabel-Koshella U., de Zeeuw H. Growing cities,
growing food. Urban agriculture on the policy agenda. Feldafing, Germany: Zentralstelle
fr Ernhrung und Landwirtschaft (ZEL), 67-95.
RUAF; Foundation (2003), Optimizacin del uso agrcola del suelo en el rea urbana, Actas de
la Conferencia Electrnica. 3 al 22 de Noviembre de 2003. Urban Management
Programme, UN-HABITAT y RUAF Foundation. http://www.ruaf.org/E-conferences.
Thebo, A. L., Drechsel, P., & Lambin, E. F. (2014). Global assessment of urban and peri-urban
agriculture: irrigated and rainfed croplands. Environmental Research Letters, 9(11),
114002.
Uzctegui, C, Gonzlez, A., & Zaldumbide, D. (2017). Agricultura urbana sobre la base de
sostenibilidad de las ciudades. Agroecosistemas| Revista para la transformacin agraria
sostenible, 5(Nmero 1), 89.

Revista mensual de la UIDE extensin Guayaquil 116